Levin predicts Democratic tide

Senator visits to campaign for Berrien County candidates.

Senator visits to campaign for Berrien County candidates.

August 19, 2006|LOU MUMFORD Tribune Staff Writer

NILES -- Don't tell U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., that Berrien County is a Republican stronghold. Although he's well aware of the GOP's dominance in Berrien in particular and southwestern Michigan in general, that didn't stop the veteran lawmaker from telling a hall filled with Democrats on Friday that change is in the wind. "I think we're taking over Berrien County,'' he said to an enthusiastic crowd of more than 100 at American Legion Post 26. In Niles to drum up support for Democratic candidates like Three Oaks' Kim Clark, Niles' Judy Truesdell and Buchanan's Jess Minks, Levin predicted a wave of displeasure with President Bush's administration will sweep enough Democrats into Washington, D.C., for the party to regain control of both the House and Senate. "People want a change in direction in Washington, and Kim (Clark) will help us get there,'' Levin said. Still, Clark is a long shot at best to defeat 10-term U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, on Nov. 7. Undaunted, Clark indicated there's hope for his "Imagine ... Kim Clark in Congress'' campaign, pointing out he received 53 percent more votes in the Aug. 8 Democratic primary than Upton opponent Scott Elliott garnered two years ago. The boost occurred even though Democrats, with few nominations challenged, had no reason to vote, he said. Truesdell also faces a formidable task in her attempt to unseat two-term 78th District state Rep. Neal Nitz, R-Baroda. She praised Levin for "fighting ... for the average Michigander and not special interests.'' Minks is a Democratic candidate for county commissioners. After bashing the Bush administration, Levin went to bat for Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who's locked in a tight race with GOP candidate and former Amway President Dick DeVos. He pointed to the budget deficit she inherited from former Republican Gov. John Engler. "Compare what she inherited to what Dick DeVos inherited,'' he quipped. He said "guys like DeVos'' won't eliminate trade restrictions on U.S. products in foreign countries, a problem Granholm also has wrestled with, and he argued working-class Americans were better off when Bill Clinton was in the White House. The difference between Republicans and Democrats is simple, he said. "We want all rates (median incomes) to go up. They (Republicans) just want their yachts to get longer,'' he said. Levin ripped the Republican scripted prescription-drug program, arguing it "takes work'' but the party succeeded in creating a voluntary system under which many senior citizens are worse off. As for the war in Iraq, he said it's been "terribly managed,'' and he reminded everyone he voted against sending U.S. troops there. Bush's "stay the course'' policy sends the wrong message, he said. Staff writer Lou Mumford: lmumford@sbtinfo.com (269) 687-7002